TOP TEN JAPAN 2018

Recently, I added a chat feature to The Ramen Rater, allowing readers to comment and ask me questions directly. It’s been very eye-opening; great to hear about why people are here and what they’re interested in seeing. One thing I have been asked repeatedly is ‘when will there be an update to the Japan list?’ Well, I heard you. The last list came out in 2014. I’ve been reviewing a LOT of Japanese varieties lately, and it looks like there will be an influx of Japanese varieties for the foreseeable future crossing my desk. This most likely will be an annual list from now on. With that being said I should also mention that with the huge amount of varieties that are released annually in Japan, many are discontinued. While this is the ‘of all time list,’ spanning all my reviews, I try to make sure that what is on it is available. This is very hard with Japanese varieties. Finally, I should mention also that if you’re an instant noodle manufacturer from Japan or elsewhere for that matter and you’d like me to review your products, I encourage you to use the contact form and drop me a line. That being said, let’s take a look at this new list, encompassing my favorite and most memorable reviews from the over 2,500 reviews I’ve done to date.

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2018 Edition

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The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Japanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2018 Edition

#10: Nissin Men Shokunin Kaoruyasai Shio

The noodles are very, very good – a really nice thinnish gauge with a strong backbone and just the nicest little bit of crumble to them – almost dainty. the broth is thick and rich shio with a lot of pork and chicken flavor throughout. The included cabbage, sesame seeds and other veggies are just perfect. Original review

#9: Nissin Cup Noodle Light+ Bagna Cauda

The Cup Noodle Light+ series has really impressed me; amazing how much flavor you get out of a low-cal cup. The noodles have a really nice quality to them – not mushy or anything; they’re just really good. The broth is saucy and hearty with a cheese and light fish taste which is augmented with vegetables galore. This is on the top ten cups list and now on the top ten japanese list. Original review

#8: Nissin Raoh Hot & Sour Ramen

Nissin’s Raoh is a range of premium varieties. The noodle are great – excellent chew and backbone. The broth is serious business – oily, rich in color and has a nice hot and sour taste. Original review

#7: Sapporo Ichiban Otafuku Okonomi Sauce Yakisoba

I’ve always really loved yakisoba and this is the best I’ve found in an instant form yet. Otofuku is a brand of yakisoba sauce that can be found almost anywhere, and it’s inclusion in this one is just perfection. What’s more, the noodles are garnished with green laver (flaked seaweed) and a little mayonnaise packet! Original review

#6: New Touch Sugomen Niigata Seabura Shoyu Ramen

The noodles hydrated very well and have one seriously good chew to them. The broth is equally amazing – a purely elegant shoyu broth with a good oiliness and great flavor. The vegetable bits hydrated very well and were of excellent quality. To top it off, it comes with a happy little slice of pork, which comes out just right. Original review

#5: Maruchan Gotsumori Sauce Yakisoba

This big tray of yakisoba was a very nice surprise. First, there’s a lot of noodles here – easily enough for two. Second, the flavor has a little hint of spiciness. Thirdly, the cabbage hydrated very nicely with a tantalizing crunch. Finally, the inclusion of Kewpie mayonnaise sealed the deal for me. Original review

#4: Marutai Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen

The noodles came out just right – nice firmness and chew with that groovy flouriness Hakata ramen noodle have. The broth is luxuriant – nice and thick with a rich pork flavor and garlic taste. Just top notch tonkotsu. Original review

#3: Seven & I Gold Sumire Ramen

The noodles are thick and chewy – very premium. The broth has a very rich miso flavor that had a little thickness and a nice oiliness. The vegetables and bits hydrated perfectly – nice bits of ground meat and menma float happily about and are of good quality. Original review

#2: Tokushima Seifun Yakibuta Ramen

The broth has a nice saltiness and soy flavor with just a little touch of sweetness. The pork flavor finds it’s way into the broth as well which is spectacular. The pork has a nice sweetness and ‘fall off the bone’ texture to it which is pure delicacy. The army of decent sized slices of narutomaki were amazing, and the spring onion and bamboo shoots were perfect. A bowl of amazing taste and quality. Original review

#1: Nissin Gyoretsu-no-Dekiru-Mise-no-Ramen (Shrimp Tantanmen

Talk about amazing. Now, on most of these bowls, you’ll notice I’ve added my own garnishes. I don’t count them in my reviewing – everything is reviewed prior to any additions I make. This is one where I’ve added nothing and just look at it! This one had very good noodles to start off. The broth was a very thick prawn infused decadent flavor spectacle. Then there’s the little crunchy topping and the other garnish they provide and this is just amazing stuff. Wow. Floored. The top of ther Top Ten Japanese varieties Original review